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Rights and Freedoms
17 January 2019Media ReleaseModern Slavery and Beyond
As the Federal Senate debates the Modern Slavery Bill this week, the 2018 Australian Dialogue on Business and Human Rights takes place in Sydney today with modern slavery prevention as the key theme. It’s the fifth time the Global Compact Network Australia and the Australian Human Rights Commission have joined forces to address the ongoing challenges facing business, government, civil society ... -
Sex Discrimination
22 February 2024News story
Positive Duty: Supporting safe, inclusive and respectful workplaces
In December 2023, the Australian Human Rights Commission convened a panel of experts to discuss the positive duty under the Sex Discrimination Act, compliance and enforcement policies, and efforts to address workplace sexual harassment and other unlawful behavior. -
15 July 2014Book page
Appendix 2: International mechanisms addressing Indigenous peoples’ human rights 2012–13
Overview There have been a number of developments at the international level during the reporting period from 1 July 2012 to 30 June 2013 (Reporting Period). Some of these developments have included specific engagement by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, while others have addressed issues that affect the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. These include: the fifth ... -
Rights and Freedoms
25 June 2020Publication
Freedom of Religion in Australia: a focus on serious harms (2020)
The right to freedom of religion is recognised in international human rights law and receives some protection in Australia’s federal, state and territory laws. -
Commission – General
14 December 2012SpeechPresident speech: Using human rights to inform administrative decision-making
The right to non-discrimination on the basis of sex and immigration regulations: Abdulaziz, Cabales and Balkandali v The United Kingdom (28 May 1985) Eur Court HR -
Disability Rights
14 December 2012SpeechPresentation to the NSW Subcommittee of the Australian Braille Authority
Have you ever stopped to think about all the things that we take for granted? When you're wandering through the breakfast cereal isle at the supermarket, for example, do you ever wonder whether Uncle Toby really was? If so, was he related to Sara Lee? Were Nana's apple pies originally made by Granny Smith? It's not so much that familiarity breeds contempt as that it lulls us into a state of mind where we no longer feel the need to question or even test our assumptions and presumptions. -
Rights and Freedoms
2 September 2019Media Release
Commissioners call for compassionate approach for Tamil family
Australian Children’s Commissioner Megan Mitchell and Human Rights Commissioner Edward Santow have today written to Minister David Coleman, calling for an urgent and compassionate resolution for the Tamil family detained in immigration detention on Christmas Island. “Given their connection to Australia, showing compassion and allowing the family to stay together in the only community the children ... -
Disability Rights
30 October 2020Submission
Submission in response to the National Disability Strategy: Position Paper (2020)
1. Introduction The Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission) welcomes the opportunity to provide the Department of Social Services (DSS) with this submission in response to the National Disability Strategy: Position Paper [i] (the Position Paper) regarding the development of a new National Disability Strategy (the New Strategy). The Commission is Australia’s national human rights ... -
Rights and Freedoms
28 September 2023Opinion piece
COVID-19 Inquiry a missed opportunity
Read the Human Rights Commissioner, Ms Lorraine Finlay's op-ed about the terms of reference for the inquiry in Australia's pandemic response. Understanding the full human cost of the pandemic is vital for ensuring a more effective response for future public emergencies. -
Commission – General
4 May 2022Webpage
Chief Executive - Leanne Smith
Learn about Leanne Smith, who was appointed Chief Executive of the Commission in 2021 after being the Executive Director of the Whitlam Institute. -
Employers15 March 2024Speech
Leadership Recipes
Defence Estate and Infrastructure Group Annual Leadership Conference Canberra Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM President, Australian Human RIghts Commission Acknowledgement I first wish to acknowledge the Ngunnawal people who are the traditional custodians of this land, and to pay my respects to Ngunnawal Elders past, present and emerging. I also acknowledge any Indigenous guests present ... -
13 November 2014Book page
About the Commission - Annual Report 2013-14
Our vision Human rights: everyone, everywhere, everyday Our role The role of the Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission) is to see that human rights and fundamental freedoms are understood and respected in law, policy and practice. The Commission is independent from government, with a legislative mandate, and recognised internationally as an ‘A status’ national human rights institution ... -
Rights and Freedoms
9 April 2020E-bulletin (Monthly)
Community update: COVID-19 (April 2020)
Here to help, human rights in COVID times -
Rights and Freedoms
10 December 2021News story
The case to modernise Australia’s federal discrimination law
A new discussion paper outlining 38 recommendations for reform of Australia’s federal discrimination law system has been released by the Australian Human Rights Commission. The Discrimination Law Position Paper, part of the Commission’s major project Free and Equal: An Australian conversation on human rights, is the result of an extensive consultation process undertaken in 2020 and 2021. The paper ... -
Rights and Freedoms
22 February 2023News story
Urgent action needed following termination of UN inspection
The Australian Human Rights Commission says an extraordinary decision to terminate a tour of Australian places of detention by United Nations inspectors reflects Australia’s fragmented approach to protecting the human rights of people in detention. -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
5 August 2020Media ReleaseStatement on Christmas Island immigration detention
The Australian Human Rights Commission is deeply concerned that the Australian Border Force plans to re-open the immigration detention facility at Christmas Island. The Commission has carried out inspections of Australia's onshore and offshore immigration detention facilities for many years. The Commission's advice has been consistent: Christmas Island is not an appropriate place for an ... -
Commission – General
14 December 2012Webpage
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination - Human rights at your fingertips - Human rights at your fingertips
Considering that the Charter of the United Nations is based on the principles of the dignity and equality inherent in all human beings, and that all Member States have pledged themselves to take joint and separate action, in co-operation with the Organization, for the achievement of one of the purposes of the United Nations which is to promote and encourage universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion, -
Legal
14 December 2012WebpageProductivity Commission Inquiry into Paid Maternity, Paternity and Parental Leave - 20 May 2008
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission – HREOC – is Australia’s national human rights institution with legislative responsibility for the promotion and independent monitoring of human rights in Australia. -
14 December 2012Book page
Annual Report 2007-2008: Appendix 5 - Human Resources and Administrative Services
HREOC reviews staff performance annually through its Performance Management Scheme. The Scheme provides an opportunity to set goals and priorities and assess the level of individual performance and contribution to Unit outcomes. -
14 December 2012Book page
Discussion Paper: African Australians: A report on human rights and social inclusion issues (2009)
The Australia of 2009 is a proud multicultural nation. It is a nation, culturally, socially and economically formed by the unique combination of its First Nation peoples, its early settlers, and by the many waves of subsequent migration. As such, negotiating diversity and respecting people of all faiths, races, cultures and identities has evolved into an important characteristic of being a member of Australian society.